Optical disk cartridge

Abstract

An optical disk cartridge includes a casing having an accommodating section formed by a pair of top and bottom walls, a discrimination hole formed in one of the walls, a holder accommodated in the accommodating section of the casing and capable of insertion and removal of a disk into and from the accommodating section, an operation element accommodated in the accommodating section, and a breakable blocking part for blocking movement of the operation element and insertion and removal of the holder. In the optical disk cartridge, when the blocking part is broken, the operation element is slidable, and sliding of the operation element allows the discrimination hole to be opened and closed and enables insertion and removal of the holder into and from the accommodating section.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical disk cartridge into which an optical disk can be inserted and removed.

2. Description of the Related Art

FIG. 30 shows a conventional optical disk cartridge. Referring to FIG. 30, a casing 21 for accommodating therein an optical disk D has an accommodating section 21a and an opening provided in one side face thereof for inserting and removing the disk D into and from the cartridge.

A lid 22 having tongues 22a is attached to the opening 21b so as to be opened and closed.

In the insertion and removal of the disk D, top and bottom faces of the disk D are sandwiched by the tongues 22a so that the disk D is inserted and removed into and from the accommodating section 21a. This prevents the disk D from being contaminated by fingerprints and the like.

In general, after formatting the disk D, the disk D is checked again to determine whether or not it has been satisfactorily formatted. When a defective region is detected on the disk D, the region is registered in a control table.

In a conventional optical disk cartridge, if the disk D can be inserted and removed, there is a risk that that an unacceptable disk D will be inserted by a user. For example, writable disks D, such as DVD-RAMs (digital versatile disk RAMs), are generally subjected to checking for defective regions at the time of factory shipment in order to improve reliability of data to be written thereon. Some of the disks D, however, are not subjected to checking for defective regions, and such disks D may be accommodated in the casing 21.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optical disk cartridge in which optical disks can be replaced and in which information on a replaced disk can be discriminated.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an optical disk cartridge including: a casing having an accommodating section formed by a pair of top and bottom walls; a discrimination hole formed in one of the walls; a holder accommodated in the accommodating section of the casing and capable of insertion and removal of a disk into and from the accommodating section; an operation element accommodated in the accommodating section; and a breakable blocking part for blocking movement of the operation element and insertion and removal of the holder; wherein, when the blocking part is broken, the operation element is slidable, and sliding of the operation element allows the discrimination hole to be opened and closed and enables insertion and removal of the holder into and from the accommodating section.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the discrimination hole may be for determining whether or not checking for defective regions of the disk has been completed.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the discrimination hole may be provided in the pair of top and bottom walls, respectively. The discrimination hole provided in one of the walls and the discrimination hole provided in the other of the walls may be provided at opposing top and bottom positions across the widthwise central part of the casing.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the holder may have a receiving part for receiving the operation element, and the operation element received in the receiving part may be insertable and removable into and from said accommodating section in accordance with the insertion and removal of the holder.

The holder may be provided with a guide part around the receiving part for guiding the sliding movement of the operation element.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, one of the walls opposing the other of the walls provided with the discrimination hole may be formed with a slot partially opposing the discrimination hole.

The operation element may be formed with a hole adjacent to the slot for receiving an operation tool.

In the optical disk cartridge of the present invention, the blocking part may be integrally formed with one or both of the walls.

A base portion of the blocking part may be formed by a thin-walled part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an optical disk cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the optical disk cartridge shown in FIG. 1 that has been turned upside down;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the optical cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4—4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5—5 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion identified by Z in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7—7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 illustrates movement of an operation part and an operation element of the optical disc cartridge;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9—9 in FIG. 8:

FIG. 10 illustrates the relationship between the optical disk cartridge and a disk driving apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 11 is d plan view of a bottom cover in the optical disk cartridge according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a side view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the bottom cover;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion identified by X in FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of a holder for the optical disk cartridge;

FIG. 17 is a front view of the holder;

FIG. 18 is a side view of the holder;

FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of the holder;

FIG. 20 is a partial view showing a principal part of the holder;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line 21—21 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view taken along the line 22—22 in FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a partial view showing a principal part of the holder;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view taken along the line 24—24 in FIG. 23;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view taken along the line 25—25 in FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of the operation part of the optical disk cartridge;

FIG. 27 is a sectional view taken along the line 27—27 in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is a plan view of the operation element of the optical disk cartridge;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken along the line 29—29 in FIG. 28; and

FIG. 30 is a partly exploded perspective view of a conventional optical disk cartridge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While optical disk cartridges exist for DVD-RAM disks of 120 mm in diameter, optical disk cartridges for DVD-RAM disks of 80 mm in diameter have not previously been developed.

The present invention provides an optical disk cartridge for 80 mm disks which can also be applied to optical disk cartridges for 120 mm disks, and to a disk driving apparatus for the optical disk cartridge for 120 mm disks.

An embodiment of an optical disk cartridge of the present invention applied to the 80-mm disks used for a DVD-RAM will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 29.

A casing 1 consists of top and bottom covers 2 and 3 which are molded articles made of synthetic resin.

Since the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 have nearly the same construction, only the bottom cover 3 will be described in detail. Regarding the top cover 2, portions thereof which differ from those of the bottom cover 3 will also be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 15, the bottom cover 3 includes a planar wall 3a, a pair of side walls 3b provided on the left and right of the wall 3a, and a rectangular cutout 3e which is formed in front of the wall 3a with spaces 3c and 3d remaining between the side walls 3b.

In addition, the bottom cover 3 includes front walls 3f and 3g provided at left and right front positions corresponding to the spaces 3c and 3d. The front walls 3f and 3g are provided with recesses 3h of different shapes at positions exposed to the outside so as to form incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 15, the space 3c of the wall 3a is provided with operating slots 3i and 3j, and a breakable blocking part 3m consisting of a projection and having thin-walled parts 3k at the base portion thereof which are sequentially arranged side by side.

The space 3d of the wall 3a is provided with a circular discrimination hole 3n for discriminating whether or not information can be written on the disk, a circular discrimination hole 3p for discriminating whether or not the checking for defective regions has been completed, and a circular blocking part-removing hole 3q, all of which are sequentially arranged side by side. The discrimination hole 3n and the operating slot 3i, the discrimination hole 3p and the operating slot 3j, and the hole 3q and the blocking part 3m are provided at positions equidistant from the center of the wall 3a.

The bottom cover 3 includes a spring receiver 3r formed on the rear thereof, a substantially circular clamping window 3s formed in the center thereof, a rectangular reading and writing window 3t provided continuously with the clamping window 3s, projections 3u are formed on the border of the clamping window 3s and the reading and writing windows 3t so as to narrow the width of the window 3t. An arcuate rim 3v is provided on the rear of the inside of the bottom cover 3. Regulating parts 3w are connected to both ends of the rim 3v and extend rearward, inclined relative to the side walls 3b. A base 3x is provided over the central portion of the inside of the bottom cover 3, a pair of latching recesses 3y are provided at opposing positions of the side walls 3b, and a rectangular recessed part 3z is provided on the back of the wall 3a of the bottom cover 3.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the window 3t for reading and writing, an optical head (not shown) linearly moves so as to read and write information from and on the disk D. When the direction of movement of the optical head is taken as a vertical direction E, and the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction E is taken as a horizontal direction F, the clamping window 3s is formed by arcuate parts J each having a radius of 14 mm from the center C of the window 3s (the same as the center C of the disk D). In other words, the clamping window 3s has diameter G of 28 mm in the vertical direction E, and a pair of linear parts K having a width of 27.4 mm in the horizontal direction F and parallel to the direction of movement of the optical head, (i.e., the vertical direction E). The arcuate parts J connect the linear parts K.

That is, the clamping window 3s has a diameter (28 mm) in the vertical direction E which is larger than the width (27.4 mm) in the horizontal direction F. The same construction applies to a clamping window 2s of the top cover 2, and the diameter G may preferably be ±2 mm of 28 mm, and the width H may preferably be ±2 mm of 27.4 mm due to the relationship between the entire width of the casing 1 for the 80 mm disk and a motor (described hereinbelow) of the disk driving apparatus for the 120 mm disk.

The details of the top cover 2 are omitted, and only some of the components and the reference numerals thereof are shown in the figures.

As will be understood from a comparison of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the top cover 2 differs from the bottom cover 3 in that a recessed part 2z is formed on the surface of the wall 2a of the top cover 2, in that a space 2f of the wall 2a is provided with a discrimination hole 2n for discriminating whether or not the information can be written on the disk D, a discrimination hole 2p for determining whether or not the checking for defective regions has been completed, and a blocking part-removing hole 2q. The top cover 2 also differs in that a space 2g of the wall 2a is provided with operating slots 2i and 2j arranged side by side, and a breakable blocking part 2m consisting of a projection and having thin-walled parts 2k at the base portion thereof.

The top cover 2 and the bottom cover 3 constructed as described above are combined vertically to thereby form the casing 1.

When the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 are combined, an accommodating section 1a for accommodating the optical disk D and the like is formed therebetween, and the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A having recesses of different shapes are formed between the front walls 2f, 2g, 3f and 3g, as shown in FIG. 3.

In addition, when the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 are combined, the discrimination hole 2n of the top cover opposes a part of the operating slot 3i of the bottom cover 3, the discrimination hole 2p opposes a part of the operating slot 3j, the hole 2q opposes the blocking part 3m on the right side of the casing 1, the discrimination hole 3n of the bottom cover 3 opposes a part of the operating slot 2i of the top cover 2, the discrimination hole 3p opposes a part of the operating slot 2j, and the blocking part 2m opposes the hole 3q on the left side of the casing 1.

Closing parts 1b for closing the operating slots 3i and 3j are formed adjacent to the discrimination holes 2n and 2p of the wall 2a opposing the operating slots 3i and 3j, and closing parts 1c for closing the operating slots 2i and 2j are formed adjacent to the discrimination holes 3n and 3p of the wall 3a opposing the operating slots 2i and 2j.

Furthermore, when the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 are combined, a clamping window 2s and a reading and writing window 2t of the top cover 2 opposes the clamping window 3s and the reading and writing window 3t of the bottom cover 3. A rim 2v and regulating parts 2w of the top cover 2 abut against the rim 3v and the regulating parts 3w of the bottom cover 3, a space for holding the disk D is secured between bases 2x and 3x, and latching recesses 2y and 3y are formed in the side walls 2b and 3b.

A shutter 4 is made of a U-shaped metal plate and consists of a rectangular plate part 4a for closing the clamping window 2s and the reading and writing window 2t, a rectangular plate part 4b for closing the clamping window 3s and the reading and writing window 3t, and a connecting part 4c for connecting the plate parts 4a and 4b.

The connecting part 4c is located on the rear of the casing 1. The plate parts 4a and 4b are disposed in the recessed parts 2z and 3z so that the shutter 4 can move within the range of the recessed parts 2z and 3z.

Spring members (not shown) are placed in the spring receivers 2r and 3r, and the shutter 4 is normally located by the spring members at a neutral position to close the clamping windows 2s and 3s and the reading and writing windows 2t and 3t. When the shutter 4 is moved to the right side or the left side against the spring members, the shutter 4 opens the windows 2s, 3s, 2t, and 3t. When the biasing force to the shutter 4 is terminated, the shutter 4 is returned by the spring members to the neutral position again to close the windows 2s, 3s, 2t, and 3t.

As shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, a holder 5, which is a molded article made of synthetic resin, includes a base part 5a, a pair of elastic arms 5b provided at both ends of the base part 5a and extending rearward, a pair of triangular projections 5c provided at the terminal ends of the elastic arms 5b, holding parts 5d projecting from the upper and lower surfaces of the elastic arms 5b near the terminal ends of the elastic arms 5b, an exposed part 5e continuously connected to the inner surfaces of the elastic arms 5b to form the base part 5a, and a groove 5f provided behind the exposed part 5e.

The elastic arms 5b have spring properties on the side of the disk D (i.e., biasing inwardly towards each other. The disk D is inserted into the groove 5f between the elastic arms 5b. The holding parts 5d hold a part of the upper and lower surfaces of the disk D, and the elastic arms 5b hold the left and right peripheries of the disk D.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 16, the elastic arms 5b extend rearward from the base part 5a while exceeding the size of the radius, R of the disk D, and the holding parts 5d are formed at positions beyond the radius R of the disk D so as to hold the disk D at positions rearward of the center C of the disk D from the base part 5a.

The holder 5 can be inserted into and removed from the accommodating section 1a with the disk D held by the elastic arms 5b. When the holder 5 is accommodated in the accommodating section 1a together with the disk D, the projections 5c abut against the regulating parts 2w and 3w, as shown in FIG. 5. When the holder 5 is further pushed in, the elastic arms 5b are spread outwardly to separate from the peripheries of the disk D, whereby the holding of the peripheries of the disk D by the elastic arms 5b is released. The deformation of the elastic arms 5c toward the disk D is prevented by the regulating parts 2w and 3w.

When the holder 5 is mounted in the casing 1, the exposed part 5e is located in the cutouts 2e and 3e so as to be exposed.

In removing the holder 5 from the casing 1, the elastic arms 5b separate from the regulating parts 2w and 3w and return toward the disk D due to the spring properties thereof to hold the disk D, whereby the holder 5 can be removed together with the disk D held thereby.

The holder 5 includes a pair of extended parts 5g located on both sides of the exposed part 5e to form a part of the base part 5a. A pair of first receiving parts 5h, each comprising a substantially rectangular hole, are provided in the pair of extended parts 5g at positions equidistant from the widthwise central part of the holder 5. First guide parts 5i, each consisting of side walls forming the receiving parts 5h, and a pair of V-shaped recesses 5j spaced apart in the first guide parts 5i.

The first receiving parts 5h coincide with the discrimination holes 2n and 3n provided in the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, respectively.

The holder 5 also includes a pair of second receiving parts 5k, each comprising a substantially rectangular wide hole, provided in the outside of the first receiving parts 5h at positions equidistant from the widthwise central part of the holder 5, second guide parts 5m each consisting of side walls forming the receiving parts 5k, and a pair of V-shaped recesses 5n spaced apart in the second guide parts 5m.

The second receiving parts 5k coincide with the discrimination holes 2p and 3p provided in the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, respectively, and blocking parts 2m and 3m.

In addition, the holder 5 includes identification marks 5p formed on top and bottom faces of the exposed part 5e. Each of the identification marks 5p consists of an elliptical recess 5q and a projection 5r provided on the recess 5q. As shown in FIGS. 20 to 25, one projection 5r is provided on the top face of the base part 5a, and two projections 5r are provided on the bottom face of the base part 5a so that top and bottom faces of each of the identification marks 5p can be identified tactilly.

The holder 5 includes incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B provided on the extended parts 5g. The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B have recesses 5s of different shapes provided in the left and right extended parts 5g, as shown in FIG. 17. The incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5 coincide with the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A formed on the casing 1. If the holder 5 is turned upside down and an attempt is made to insert it into the casing 1, the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A and B prevent the holder 5 from being inserted into the casing 1.

The holder 5 includes a pair of locking parts 5t, each having spring properties, provided on both sides thereof. When the holder 5 is inserted into the accommodating section 1a of the casing 1, the latching parts 5t are inserted into the casing 1 in a state of elastically contacting the side walls 2b and 3b of the top and bottom covers 2 and 3. When the latching parts 5t coincide with the latching recesses 2y and 3y, the latching parts 5t spread out due to the spring properties thereof to be latched in the latching recesses 2y and 3y, whereby the holder 5 is mounted in the casing 1.

In removing the holder 5 from the casing 1, the latching parts 5t are first pressed toward the inside of the casing 1 from the outside of the casing 1 to unlatch the latching parts 5t from the latching recesses 2y and 3y, and then the base part 5a of the holder is pulled out.

An operation part 6, which is a molded article made of synthetic resin, includes a rectangular sealing part 6a, a recess 6b formed in the sealing part 6d, and an engaging part 6c having spring properties which extends from one end of the sealing part 6a, as shown in FIGS. 26 and 27.

The operation part 6 is accommodated by the holder 5 in the accommodating section 1a of the casing 1 in a state of being received in the first receiving part 5h so that the recess 6b opposes the operating slot 2i of the top cover 2, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 9.

When the operation part 6 is accommodated, the upper and lower surfaces of the operation part 6 are clamped by the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, side surfaces abut against the first guide 5i, and the engaging part 6c is engaged with the recess 5j.

That is, the operation part 6 is slidably mounted without entering into the operating slot 2i of the top cover 2 and the discrimination hole 3n of the bottom cover 3. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the operation part 6 is at a position near the front of the casing 1, the discrimination hole 3n is closed by the sealing part 6a of the operation part 6 to prevent a detection pin (not shown), provided on the disk driving apparatus, from entering the discrimination hole 3n, whereby the information can be written on the disk D. When an operating tool (not shown) is passed through the operating hole 2i to be engaged with the recess 6b of the operation part 6, and the operation part 6 is slid along the operating slot 2i in the direction to separate from the front of the casing 1, the operation part 6 slides using the first guide part 5i as a guide and the engaging part 6c engages with another recess 5j, whereby the operation part 6 is positioned, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In this case, the sealing part 6a of the operation part 6 opens the discrimination hole 3n and enables the entry of the detection pin so as to protect the disk D from having information written thereon.

In this way, the sliding movement of the operation part 6 determines whether or not information can be written on the disk D.

The operation part 6 disposed on the left side of the casing 1 shown in FIG. 5 may be disposed on the right side of the casing 1. When the operation part 6 is disposed on the right side, as will be understood from FIGS. 1 and 2, the discrimination hole 2n is provided in the top cover 2 and the operating slot 3i is provided in the bottom cover 3. Therefore, the operation part 6 is disposed in a reversed state.

In this case, the disk D is used with the casing 1 turned upside down, as shown in FIG. 2, and whether or not information can be written on the disk D can be arbitrarily determined by selecting the top or the bottom side of the casing 1.

An operation element 7, which is a molded article made of synthetic resin, includes a rectangular sealing part 7a, a recess 7b formed in the sealing part 7a, a through hole 7c formed in the sealing part 7a in parallel with the through hole 7b, and an engaging part 7d having spring properties which extends from one end of the sealing part 7a, as shown in FIGS. 28 and 29.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the operation element 7 is received in the receiving part 5k and is accommodated in the accommodating section 1a of the casing 1 in a state where the recess 7b opposes the operating slot 2j of the top cover 2, the blocking part 2m of the top cover 2 is inserted into the through hole 7c, and the through hole 7c opposes the hole 3q of the bottom cover 3.

When the operation element 7 is accommodated, the movement of the operation element 7 is blocked by the blocking part 2m, the holder 5 cannot be removed from the casing 1, the upper and lower surfaces of the operation element 7 are clamped by the top and bottom covers 2 and 3, side surfaces abut against the second guide part 5m, and the engaging part 7d is engaged with the recess 5n.

That is, the operation element 7 is mounted without entering into the operating slot 2j of the top cover 2 and the discrimination holes 3p and 3q of the bottom cover 3.

When the disk D is accommodated in the casing 1 and the movement of the operation element 7 is blocked by the blocking part 2m as described above, the checking for defective regions of the disk D has been completed.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the operation element 7 is at a position near the front of the casing 1, the discrimination hole 3p is closed by the sealing part 7a of the operation element 7 to prevent the detection pin (not shown), provided on the disk driving apparatus, from entering the discrimination hole 3p so that the completion of the checking for defective regions of the disk D is detected.

The user, however, may desire to replace the disk D in the casing 1 with another disk D from necessity.

In this case, the blocking part 2m is first broken by the operation tool (not shown) from behind the hole 3p or the blocking part 2m so as to allow the holder 5 and the operation element 7 to be removed from the casing 1.

When the holder 5 is removed from the casing 1, the operation element 7 is pulled out by the second receiving parts 5k and the disk D is pulled out by the elastic arms 5b. After the replacement of the disk D with another disk D, the second disk D and the operation element 7 are accommodated again in the accommodating section 1a of the casing 1 together with the holder 5.

The accommodated second disk D is not subjected to checking for defective regions. Therefore, when the operation tool (not shown) is passed through the operating slot 2j to be engaged with the recess 7b of the operation element 7, and the operation element 7 is slid along the operating slot 2j in a direction to separate from the front of the casing 1, the operation element 7 slides using the second guide part 5m, and the engaging part 7d engages with another recess 5n, whereby the operation element 7 is positioned, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

In this case, the sealing part 7a of the operation element 7 opens the discrimination hole 3p and enables the entry of the detection pin so as to determine that defective regions of the disk D have not yet been detected.

When a defective region of the disk D is detected by the disk driving apparatus in the state shown in FIG. 8, the casing 1 is removed from the disk driving apparatus, and the operation element 7 is slid by the operation tool so as to bring about the state shown in FIG. 6.

Thereafter, it is determined that the checking for defective regions of the disk D has been completed.

The operation element 7 disposed on the left side of the casing 1 shown in FIG. 5 may be disposed on the right side of the casing 1. When the operation element 7 is disposed on the right side, as will be understood from FIGS. 1 and 2, the discrimination hole 2p is provided in the top cover 2 and the operating slot 3j is provided in the bottom cover 3. Therefore, the operation element 7 is disposed in a reversed state.

In this case, the disk D is used with the casing 1 turned upside down, as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, the blocking part 3m is broken so as to enable the movement of the operation element 7 and to determine whether or not the checking for defective regions has been completed.

The blocking parts 2m and 3m may be provided separately from the top and bottom covers 2 and 3.

In this case, holes 2q and 3q may be provided at the positions of the blocking parts 2m and 3m, and separate blocking parts 2m and 3m may be inserted into the holes 2p and 3q. Assembling of such a disk cartridge is completed by combining the top and bottom covers 2 and 3 to form the casing 1, by accommodating the disk D, the operation part 6, and the operation elements 7 in the casing 1, and then by mounting the separate blocking parts 2m and 3m. This facilitates manufacture of the optical disk cartridge.

As described above, the optical disk cartridge can be accurately assembled by the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections A of the casing 1 and the incorrect-insertion-preventing sections B of the holder 5 at the time of replacement of the disk D, and the top and bottom faces of the holder 5 or the optical disk cartridge can be securely identified by the identification mark 5p when assembling the holder 5 or when using the optical disk cartridge.

When the optical disk cartridge constructed as described above is loaded on a disk driving apparatus 8, the shutter 4 is moved to open the clamping windows 2s and 3s and the reading and writing windows 2t and 3t, as shown in FIG. 10.

When the disk D is loaded, the detection pins (not shown) enter into the discrimination holes 3n and 3p, respectively, to determine whether or not information can be written on the disk D and whether or not the checking for defective regions has been completed. In addition, a table 9 is rotated about a fulcrum 9a to allow a spindle 10a of a motor 10 attached on the table 9 to be inserted into a hole of the disk D and to allow a hub 10b to abut against the face of the disk D, whereby the disk D is clamped.

An optical head 11 is moved in the vertical direction E (shown in FIG. 11) with the disk D rotated by the motor 10 so as to write information on the disk D or read information from the disk D.

The outer diameter of the hub 10b generally ranges from 25 to 29 mm. In consideration of this, the width H of the clamping windows 2s and 3s in the horizontal direction F is ±2 mm of 27.4 mm. Moreover, since the hub 10b moves in a circle about the fulcrum 9a of the table 9, the diameter G of the clamping windows 2s and 3s in the vertical direction E is ±2 mm of 28 mm.

By enlarging the size of the clamping windows 2s and 3s in the vertical direction E, the hub 10b can be prevented from colliding with the casing 1 during the circular motion thereof. In addition, by reducing the size of the clamping windows 2s and 3s in the horizontal direction F, the amount of movement of the shutter 4 can be secured.

The optical disk cartridge of the present invention includes the casing 1 having the accommodating section 1a formed by a pair of top and bottom walls 2a and 3a, the discrimination hole 3p formed in the wall 3a, the holder 5 accommodated in the accommodating section 1a of the casing 1 and capable of insertion and removal of the disk D into and from the accommodating section 1a, the operation element 7 accommodated in the accommodating section 1a, and a breakable blocking part 2m for blocking movement of the operation element 7. In the optical disk cartridge, when the blocking part 2m is broken, the operation element 7 is slidable and sliding of the operation element 7 allows the discrimination hole 3p to be opened and closed and enables insertion and removal of the holder 5 into and from the accommodating section 1a. Therefore, the disks D can be replaced, and breaking of the blocking part 2m allows the operation element 7 to be used as a member for discriminating checking for defective regions of the disk D.

By using the discrimination hole 3p for determining whether or not the checking for defective regions of the disk D has been completed, the checking for defective regions of the disk D at the time of replacement thereof can be discriminated, and the checking for defective regions can be securely discriminated.

The discrimination holes 2p and 3p are provided in a pair of top and bottom walls 2a and 3a, respectively, and the discrimination hole 2a provided in the wall 2a and the discrimination hole 3p provided in the wall 3a are provided at opposing top and bottom positions across the widthwise central part of the casing 1. Therefore, in an optical disk cartridge in which the disk D is reversed so as to use both top and bottom surfaces thereof, the checking for defective regions of the disk on the top and bottom faces can be discriminated.

The holder 5 has the receiving part 5k for receiving the operation element 7, and the operation element 7 received in the receiving part 5k is insertable and removable into and from the accommodating section 1a in accordance with the insertion and removal of the holder 5. Therefore, the operation element 7 does not interfere with replacement of the disks D, the disks D can be easily replaced, and the operation element 7 can be easily mounted and removed in and from the optical disk cartridge.

The holder 5 is provided with the guide part 5m around the receiving part 5k for guiding sliding movement of the operation element 7. Therefore, the sliding movement of the operation element 7 is secured, and a special member is not required for the casing, thus facilitating manufacture of the optical disk cartridge.

The wall 2a opposing the wall 3a provided with the discrimination hole 3p is formed with a slot 2j partially opposing the discrimination hole 3p. Therefore, the sliding movement of the operation element 7 can be facilitated, and accidental movement of the operation element for the checking for defective regions is eliminated.

The operation element 7 is provided with a hole 7b adjacent to the slot 2j for receiving an operation tool. Therefore, the sliding movement of the operation element from the outside of the casing 1 can be facilitated.

The blocking part 2m is integrally formed with one or both of the walls 2a and 3a. Therefore, the construction of the optical disk cartridge can be simplified, and excellent productivity can be obtained.

A base portion of the blocking part 2m is formed by a thin-walled part 2k. Therefore, the blocking part 2m can be easily broken, and the disks D can be simply replaced.

Claims

1. An optical disk cartridge comprising:

a casing having an accommodating section formed by a pair of top and bottom walls;

a discrimination hole formed in one of said walls;

a holder accommodated in said accommodating section of said casing, said holder being movable to permit insertion of the optical disk into said accommodating section or removal of the optical disk from said accommodating section;

an operation element having a through hole and accommodated in said accommodating section, said operation element being removably disposed in said holder and arranged so as to prevent insertion or removal of said holder into or from said accommodating section, said operation element being slidably disposed adjacent to said discrimination hole so as to permit opening or closing of said discrimination hole; and

a breakable blocking part for blocking movement of said operation element, said blocking part being removably inserted into the through hole of said operation element to prevent removal or sliding of said operation element;

wherein, when said blocking part is inserted in the through hole of said operation part, the movement of said operation element is prevented so as to prevent the opening or closing of said discrimination hole and to prevent insertion or removal of said holder into or from said accommodating section,

and wherein, when said blocking part is broken and removed from said through hole, said operation element is slidable to permit the opening or closing of said discrimination hole and is removable to permit the insertion or removal of said holder into or from said accommodating section.

2. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said discrimination hole is used to determine whether a checking for defective regions of the disk has been completed.

3. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said discrimination hole comprises a first discrimination hole and a second discrimination hole provided in said pair of top and bottom walls, respectively, and said first discrimination hole provided in one of said walls and said second discrimination hole provided in the other of said walls are provided at opposing top and bottom positions across a widthwise central part of said casing.

4. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said holder has a receiving part for receiving said operation element, and said operation element received in said receiving part is insertable and removable into and from said accommodating section in accordance with the insertion and removal of said holder.

5. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said holder is provided with a guide part around said receiving part for guiding the sliding movement of said operation element.

6. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a slot is formed in the one of said walls opposing the other of said walls provided with said discrimination hole, said slot partially opposing said discrimination hole.

7. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 6, wherein said operation element is formed with a hole adjacent to said slot for receiving an operation tool.

8. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said blocking part is integrally formed with one or both of said walls.

9. An optical disk cartridge according to claim 8, wherein a base portion of said blocking part is formed by a thin-walled part.